What Are Acceptable Topics?

Hey ceci2006.
Why start a thread asking for advice from members? only to turn it around and form your own personal vendetta against another member? If there is problem with you and Flyers, then i suggest taking it to the mods.

I answered your question with an honest answer in the belief i thought i was helping you. This is not what you wanted.

You turned this thread around into nothing more than trash. I hope that is where this ends up too.

You have lost all respect from me in the way you have turned things around.

Please don't post another thread asking for advice.

This is not about a personal vendetta. In my post to Springer, remember, I declined to post the information. I instead wished that the "persons" involved would treat other posters kindly:

Originally quoted by ceci2006

Thank you for your caring and kindness in this matter, Springer. However, I've decided not to post where it has happened. I think those who have done it have probably read this thread by now. I hope they are more thoughtful to others the next time they post. And in lieu of my posting the thread, I would much rather ask of the next posters who will read this thread to please be more considerate of other people's views and more understanding of each debater's experiences instead of saying that their thoughts and ruminances are "dumb", "weak" or "ignorant".

As I mentioned in my latest post, I merely posted the information in an effort to defend my actions and my character. I find it interesting that I get the brunt of the punishment because I posted what exactly FlyersFan has said to me in response to what she has posted before on the thread. However, people forget that. No matter.

And I only ask, why hasn't anyone said anything to her?

Yes, Benevolent Heretic, not everything is about race. And I did not mention anything about race when I started this thread. I only asked my question to see what was an acceptable topic so that I would know better about what to introduce. And then, after your question, I asked what would be "acceptable behavior" when in response of a "bad" thread.

There was no mention about race. Not this time. And there was not a mention of a specific poster. I described what had happened on "several threads", yes. But I did not say which one. I declined to do so. There was no mention of FlyersFan's name or what she did. She posted, of her free will examples of my behavior on the "English as National Language" thread. The last time I looked, I did not hold the puppet strings.

In response, I posted her comments to me of the reason why:

I have had to constantly defend myself from you[FlyersFan] from the first time we crossed paths. I have apologized for my part to the mods as well as to the other members of the "Should English Be Our National Language?" Thread publicly. I have even sent DontTreadOnMe a note of apology on my part. I had apologized to the posters on the "Tony Snow 'Tar Baby' Comments" Thread publically.

Lately, I have declined to respond to her because every time I do, she responds with a virulent attack. I felt it was better not to stoke the flames and hope that she would leave me alone.

Despite your opinion, Benevolent Heretic, I still respect you and consider you a friend. And I understand what you have said and its context. I know you mean well. And I don't always talk about race. If you read my countless posts about politics, I haven't mentioned race at all.

In fact, it is only in the threads about immigration, my own thread, SO's thread, English as a National language, and the Tony Snow thread have I truly spoken about race.

People forget to mention the threads before me of people who have spoken about race. It's all right.

But, knowing how this will go, I will just take my punishment and be done with it. I am tired of being accused of "screaming about race" and not "everything is about race". I have made my peace with this. I am ready to accept my fate. Burn me at the stake.

Yes, by all means. Read what FlyersFan posted. Forget my defense. Do what you will.

And always, thank you Benevolent Heretic for intervening. I will still respect you, think highly of you and cherish your words. And it is because of your kindness to me, I will abide by what you say and not try to escalate this situation despite the fact we agree to disagree on this one.

Again, I say take good care. And I will do my best to abide by the conditions of this board and treat other members with respect as I have asked others to do.









[edit on 25-5-2006 by ceci2006]

Bikereddie,

Thank you for your opinion, but that is not what this situation is about. I don't expect others to understand my point of view because it is easier to believe that this was a "vendetta" because someone said it.

The last time I recall, I did not use the word vendetta in my post. Nor, did I name anyone. I just mentioned a situation and declined to get anyone involved.

And I apologize for you thinking what you did.

I will not post another thread here by your request.

I will not swat at the hornet's nest anymore. And I have learned a valuable lesson: to not try and defend myself anymore.







[edit on 25-5-2006 by ceci2006]

No topic is untouchable here that I've noticed. It all depends upon whether or not we can keep it at least somewhat civil. When exchanges stoop to the level of petty invective than its time to rein it in. But as BH said, it takes two to tango. I've had some rancourous exchanges, it happens to all of us.

Some topics hit close to our hearts, and we almost can't help ourselves. Some one throws a bomb, and yee-haw, let loose the dogs of war, so to speak. Here's a hint for all of us, I learned this the hard way during my Holocaust Denier battles with what seemed to be the entire membership of ATS. If 50 people from all over the spectrum of opinion are busily telling you "Boy, you are wrong.", it might behoove you to step back and rethink your position on a topic. I was forced, albeit reluctently, to rethink my thoughts on that particular aspect of Holocaust Denial.

Be willing to fight, but not blindly. Otherwise, you run the risk of becoming that which you are fighting and offending those who would ordinarily be at your side fighting with you.

Ceci, let's be frank. This entire thread is a childish attempt to illicit sympathy at best. At worst, you are attempting to stir the drama pot. Your comments like 'I will not try to defend myself anymore' are pathetic. From what I've read so far, your attempts to defend yourself are basically declaring everyone but you a racist, instead of using logic to sway an argument.

My advice? Quit while you're ahead.

DE

Deus Ex, by all due respect, you can't read my mind. Nor do you care. Would you please, on the account of respectability and civilty refrain from giving me advice?

Instead, I would like one of the staff, mods, councilors, supermods or the Three Amigos to answer. Most namely, I would like DontTreadOnMe and WyrdeOne also to give their opinion.

Thank you very much. And have a nice day.


seagull, it does take two to tango. And I've decided to bow out of this until one of the staff answers. Thank you for your opinion, though.

P.S. I would also like to thank whaaa for understanding.



[edit on 25-5-2006 by ceci2006]

Originally posted by ceci2006
I find it interesting that I get the brunt of the punishment

What punishment? This is your thread. People are responding to you honestly. Responses to your thread are not punishment. You laid stuff out on the table for inspection and then when we tell you what we see, you say you're being punished.

because I posted what exactly FlyersFan has said to me in response to what she has posted before on the thread. However, people forget that.

No. I explained very clearly why I didn't address FF.
1. She may get feisty but she can take it, too. She doesn't complain when people give her the same treatment that she puts out.
2. This isn't her thread. If she had started this thread, I'd be having this discussion with her.

And I only ask, why hasn't anyone said anything to her?

I told you. She didn't start this thread complaining about how she's treated. If she had, I would have been just as vocal to her. And regardless the title you gave to this thread, it's clear that it was really a complaint thread about your perception of how (unfairly) you're being treated.

And I did not mention anything about race when I started this thread.

Are you saying that's not what your original question was about? Can you honestly say that when you started this thread, the subject of 'race' had nothing to do with your intentions? Were you not really asking if race is an acceptable topic?

There was no mention about race. Not this time. And there was not a mention of a specific poster. I described what had happened on "several threads", yes. But I did not say which one.

But anyone who participated in or read any of those threads knew exactly what you meant.

Lately, I have declined to respond to her because every time I do, she responds with a virulent attack. I felt it was better not to stoke the flames and hope that she would leave me alone.

I've had similar encounters with posters. It's all part of being a member with thousands of other people. This happens, hon. There's not really much to be done about it. Aside from the T&C, you (or I or anyone) can't set the standard for respect or courtesy, especially with subjects that are so controversial! Race, politics, religion... There's going to be some uncomfortable words exchanged. That's just the way it is. How you respond to those words is what counts. If you respond in kind, things will probably escalate. If you respond without malice, being rational, reasonable and open-minded, you may get to the place of mutual respect with the very people you're having issues with. If you ignore it, it will probably go away. But, let me just say that I've learned a lot from listening to the people I most emphatically disagree with (Don't tell them that, though)

People forget to mention the threads before me of people who have spoken about race. It's all right.

You are not being persecuted here. Sure, people speak about race. There's nothing wrong with speaking about race. Racism exists. Nobody is faulting you for talking about race or racism.

The perception is that you bring race in where it has no place, you accuse people of being racist for no apparent reason and you make biting racist remarks about white people, all the while, quietly denying your own racism.

That's what's got people in a snit. Not talking about race.

But, knowing how this will go, I will just take my punishment and be done with it. I am tired of being accused of "screaming about race" and not "everything is about race". I have made my peace with this. I am ready to accept my fate.

Burn me at the stake.

Yes, by all means. Read what FlyersFan posted. Forget my defense. Do what you will.

There's some of that sarcasm I spoke about earlier. No one is punishing you. You are being hoist upon your own petard. You are not the victim of a bunch of white people who just don't understand.

And I will do my best to abide by the conditions of this board and treat other members with respect as I have asked others to do.

That's all you can do. Do unto others... It's up to you to take that Golden Rule and apply it in your dealings here. What others do is up to them. The Golden Rule is not something that can be thrust on other people. One adopts it for themselves and uses it regardless of what others choose to do.

+1

No, by all due respect, it was not the reason why I started the thread. But it is okay to have your opinion. I respect that.

In my defense, the only other thing I asked was whether anyone else have had similar experiences. I had especially asked for them to come forward:

It's funny. The word "ignorant" has been thrown around a lot of times here. And the people who share the most extreme positions have always used it in conjunction with "sophomoric". It is also interesting that because they are unwilling to compromise with other people's views, they say a discussion is not "intellectual" and deserves to be "ignored" unless it is their way being coddled to. And even more fascinating is the fact that when a view does not resonate with the "extreme position" they accuse the other debater of not being "educated" enough".

Instead, I would rather ask everyone why it is that people who share the most extreme views are the ones who possess the loudest voices? Is it because they can bully the more open-minded and sensitive people with their views until they are voiceless?

And I would like others, who have had this to happen to express themselves about this issue.

I think that in all FF's responses to me she has not used "sophomoric" or "ignorant". But other posters have used those words. Although she has attacked me twice about my education, I was not referring to her. But in all accounts FF has never used the word "intellectual"--not to me. So, no, there was not an idea put forth which poster(s) I was referring to.

And after Majic's response, this is what I said:

Thank you for your thoughts, Majic. I will sure take them under consideration and look at all the guidelines for my part.

I did not say anything more. But who was the next post? And what did that poster post in response?

I thank you for your response to my earlier post to you. But again, I respectfully have to agree to disagree with your assessment. I certainly am getting my punishment. I'm sure you are aware of the latest responses calling for my head in this matter. Even despite my post in response to FF, surely everyone is clearly aware of that.

And for the sake of not getting myself into a deeper hole(as many suggested), I will not say anything more until one of the staff, mods, supermods or the Three Amigos answer.

And for the sake of not getting myself into a deeper hole(as many suggested), I will not say anything more until one of the staff, mods, supermods or the Three Amigos answer.

promise?

I promise, Lysergic. I see you are a councilor.

Originally posted by ceci2006
And for the sake of not getting myself into a deeper hole(as many suggested), I will not say anything more until one of the staff, mods, supermods or the Three Amigos answer.

Cool, I think this has run it's coarse. If anyone has a problem with any aspect of the site, please use the Suggestions button. U2u any of the staff if you wish BUT vacation season is coming up and you will get a better response from the staff by using that button.

Closed.